Erinn Finley
Contributing writer
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The Murray State Town and Gown band will perform again in person for the first time in over a year on Fourth of July. 

The band will perform Sunday July 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Freedom Fest, which is the name given to all Independence Day activities in Murray. The performance will be on the  front lawn of Lovett Auditorium.

 It is recommended that those attending  bring blankets or lawn chairs. The Town and Gown band includes regional adults, Murray State alumni, staff and students as well as a few high school students. 

Todd E. Hill, professor of music, is the director of the Town and Gown band. There has been a history of a Murray State Summer Band as far back as the 1950s. However the band became less prevalent from the 1990s until Hill revived the band in 2012.   

The Town and Gown band shut down during COVID-19. They have done performances online, but this is their first performance back in person. This performance will be smaller and shorter than previous concerts. Instead of the normal 80-100 band members there will only be 55 this year. 

“When you go 18 months without playing, there are all sorts of issues, but everyone has worked diligently through individual practice to make it go as well as it possibly can,” Hill said. “I’m particularly proud of how they’ve done.

There are no specific COVID-19 restrictions in place since the performance will be outside. Hill said band members will be socially distanced  as a precaution. 

Dennis Johnson, retired Director of Bands , will be guest conducting for part of the show. The program includes The Star-Spangled Banner, My Old Kentucky Home, Americans We-March, America the Beautiful, National Emblem-March, Air for Band, Armed Forces Salute, Precious Lord Take My Hand and Stars and Stripes Forever-March. The program will last 40 minutes. 

 The show is free and everyone is welcome to attend. The performance will end in time for people to find a location to watch Murray’s fireworks show. The fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. and will be launched from the Bee Creek Soccer Complex. They can be viewed anywhere along U.S. Highway 641 near Kroger, Walmart or the Chamber of Commerce. 

“We are just so happy that we are back together and making music,” Hill said.